When Latin Jazz first sparked my interest in the early nineties, building a listening library was an overwhelming task. My musical background was filled with rock, fusion, and some straight-ahead jazz. I lacked contacts or mentors in the style. I just heard jazz over Cuban rhythms and knew that I needed to explore it further. I searched for names of artists and then tried to attach albums to the musicians. My discoveries were completely unavailable at the “record stores” of the day, so I investigated alternate sources. Years later, I now have an ever growing Latin Jazz CD library that has been a constant source of inspiration, study, and enjoyment.

Exploring Latin Jazz Through Classic Recordings
Recently, the accessibility of recordings increased and prices dropped, yet new listeners need direction through the massive Latin Jazz world. Musicians have mixed many types of Caribbean and South American music with jazz, resulting in an astounding array of variations. Diverse musicians have prioritized a variety of additional musical elements based upon their backgrounds. Starting with a list allows new listeners to experience a balanced view of Latin Jazz.

Our list is built upon classic recordings within six Latin Jazz sub-genres. Each sub-genre categorizes a specific approach to performing Latin Jazz. Keep in mind that each of these sub-genres could be broken into several smaller categories. For now decide which sub-genre suits your tastes initially, and use that as a starting point. Further posts will explore each sub-genre’s finer points.

The justification for the “classic” label varies for each recording. You may be familiar with some of this music – recordings often become “classic” due to their popular appeal. Other albums might lack a broad listening audience, but remain historically significant due to the way they challenged listeners. Regardless, each recording on the list marked a milestone for the Latin Jazz sub-genre in a significant way.

Categories and Listening Suggestions
Each category begins with a brief explanation of the sub-genre followed by one or more classic recordings. Enjoy your listening, and let me know your thoughts on the music!

Brazilian
Jazz harmonies supported by Brazilian rhythmic structures such as Bossa Nova or Samba. Many people indicate the marriage of Brazilian rhythms and Jazz grew out of Cool Jazz , due to early innovators Stan Getz and Charlie Byrd.
Getz/Gilberto, Stan Getz & Joao Gilberto

Cuban
A combination of Jazz and Cuban rhythms created by musicians either in Cuba or originating from Cuba. The music often includes complex jazz harmonies and a greater use of authentic folkloric rhythms. Especially in the case of modern Cuban musicians, there is a high level of technical ability.
Reunion, Paquito D’Rivera & Arturo Sandoval
Calzada Del Cerro, Irakere
Kenya, Machito & His Afro-Cubans

Descarga
Loosely structured “Jam Sessions” often based upon simplistic harmonies and Cuban rhythms. Musicians emphasize improvisation in a Descarga, so the mood remains spontaneous. Soloists stretch their musical ideas and rhythm sections interact on a regular basis.
Israel “Cachao” Lopez, Cuban Jam Sessions, Vol. 2

Nuyorican
Latin Jazz created in New York by the Puerto Rican community. This is the real deal - musicians with Caribbean cultural heritages that surround themselves with legendary New York jazz musicians. The majority of this music is based upon Cuban rhythms, but will sometimes include Puerto Rican rhythms such as Bomba and Plena.
Time Was - Time Is, Ray Barretto
Rumba Para Monk, Jerry Gonzalez & The Fort Apache Band
Palmas, Eddie Palmieri
Live At The Playboy Jazz Festival, Tito Puente

Tango-Jazz
A combination of jazz and Argentinean Tango, which unlike most Latin Jazz, pulls both rhythmic and harmonic elements from its “Latin” portion, Tango. Argentinean composer Astor Piazzolla’s Nueva Tango greatly influenced this sub-genre’s development. Modern Tango Jazz has a number of proponents, mostly centered in either New York or Buenos Aires.
Summit-Reunion Cumbre, Astor Piazzolla & Gerry Mulligan

West Coast
Latin Jazz created on the West Coast of the United States, largely centered in Los Angeles and San Francisco. Musicians utilize Cuban rhythms, but often compliment the music with funky elements. Due to the lack of a large Caribbean population, the presence of musical “mentors” from New York or Cuba drive the music.
Soul Sauce, Cal Tjader

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